Location: Dumfries
Top Things to do in Dumfries
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Dumfries, Scotland
Dumfries (/dʌmˈfriːs/ ( listen) dum-FREESS; possibly from Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phris) is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland, United Kingdom. It is located near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries is the traditional county town of the historic county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South. People from Dumfries are known colloquially as Doonhamers.
Restaurants in Dumfries
1. Savings Banks Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Fyfebbq - Manchester, United Kingdom
Saw the brown signs on side of the road and decided to look up winter opening hours and visit, we only had few hours spare before meeting friend so times fit perfect the place was brilliant being a bit of a money geek made it even better. However my husband who never got my geek money thing did not want to do but loved it, Kay was so knowledgable explained everything to us and made talk / tour as inclusive as she could get my son who has additional need to touch the money and involving him in conversation and the exhibit, Kay even shown me some anne wrote ledges they were really interesting the place was fab we loved it well worth visit. We also visited the church where the cross rest but to find out about the cross you need to visit the museum. We will be back to visit again thanks for taking the time to show us your passion Kay, sorry that should be doing your job lol which you clearly enjoy ????
2. Solway Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 97 reviews
We offer guided historic and ancestral tours of South West Scotland and beyond. We plan bespoke personalised tours with clients across half day, full day or multi day tours. We can also plan and prepare an Ancestral Tour where you can walk in the footsteps of your ancestors. We offer a door to door service and can collect you from any airport, train station or hotel. We will provide unforgettable experiences through our extensive knowledge and insight into the History of Scotland which will create memories and smiles that last a lifetime. Individualised tailor made tours of incredible quality!
3. Robert Burns House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
The home in which national poet Robert Burns spent his last years.
Reviewed By leburgaud
Called in at Dumfries on the way back home from Edinburgh. Nice walk around the town and saw various attarctions linked with Robert Burns
4. Ellisland Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Ellisland Farm, the rural home of Scottish National Bard Robert Burns, which he built for himself and his family in 1788. The place which inspired him to write some of his most famous poems including Auld Lang Syne and Tam O' Shanter. Visit the room in which he wrote these works and discover more about farm life in rural Dumfriesshire in the late 18th century. Along with the historic house and displays you can also explore the farmyard, farm buildings and take a walk along the river Nith with fabulous displays of flora and wildlife.
5. Drumlanrig Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 662 reviews
Set on the spectacular 80,000 acre Queensberry Estate complete with Country Park and Victorian Gardens, Drumlanrig Castle presents one of the finest examples of late 17th century Renaissance architecture in Scotland and an internationally renowned art collection. Beyond the castle are over 40 acres of enchanting gardens and a wide range of activities including walking, mountain biking, adventure playground, wildlife watching, Scottish Cycle Museum, Landrover tours, Ranger-led walks, events programme as well as shopping and catering.
Reviewed By 919tracyj - Fakenham, United Kingdom
Lovely visit to this amazing castle, although castle is closed at the moment because of Covid, the gardens are well worth a visit, also can highly recommend the walks around the castle great place to explore.
6. Caerlaverock Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 998 reviews
Caerlaverock Castle is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. With its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, this awe-inspiring castle is the epitome of the medieval stronghold and one of the finest castles in Scotland. Although ruined, Caerlaverock is still a substantial structure and you can explore many different features within its unique triangular ground plan. The castle's turbulent history owes much to its proximity to England which brought it into the brutal cross-border conflicts and you can enjoy a fascinating siege warfare exhibition complete with reconstructions of medieval siege engines.
Reviewed By Quirky-Bird-Gardener - Biggar, United Kingdom
We combined visiting the castle with Ruthwell Cross making it a great day out and worth the hour and half drive. The castle though fairly small is fascinating to explore with its triangular shape and interesting facades. Being in a moat adds to it's uniqueness. We walked around the castle to the site of the original castle and back to the cafe for lunch. This was the low point of the visit sadly. Its very unusual to have a disappointing lunch where ever we visit. We ordered soup and a sandwich, the soup was lovely but the sandwich was 2 slices of cheap white bread with a sliver of ham and a dollop of mustard, no salad, crisps or anything as is the case in most places these days. It was a very poor excuse for a sandwich. Service was very very slow despite it not being that busy. I wish we'd gone elsewhere for lunch or brought a picnic but as it's out only day off in the week we like to treat ourselves to lunch.
7. Robert Burns Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
8. Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By Craigmil1ar - Glasgow, United Kingdom
I could happily have come back several times to get around to seeing everything in this fantastic, free, museum! We had a very warm welcome, and spent a delightful few hours exploring. Everything from prehistoric to Romans, to Vikings, to victorian mill works. Wondrous artifacts and a fantastic array of historical everyday items. Don't forget to try on the dinosaur costumes or take a crayon rubbing of a fossil!
9. Old Bridge House Museum
10. Dalscone Farm Fun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
A Great Day Family Fun Day Out - Rain or Shine. Dalscone is a family adventure farm located in Dumfries, Scotland. Here you can also visit Scotland's largest independent toyshop! Have fun in our huge indoor soft play area that is filled with ball cannons, slides and other exciting features. Explore our outdoor attractions for children and adults alike including trampolines, pedal karts, bumper boats and crazy golf! Take a ride around our Farmari where you can encounter llamas, donkeys, goats, pigs and more!
Reviewed By xxKatxx2011xx - Cockermouth, United Kingdom
Visited here today, two family’s 4 adults and 4 children in total. I travelled from Cockermouth and would do it all over again!! It’s worth the travel and we will be going back. It’s amazingly clean and the staff are amazing (there are lots of them) but they are busy keeping everyone happy and the place spotless. All the doors are secure and alarmed so little ones can’t get out of the indoor area. So there is a huge indoor play area (soft play) and a cafe which is reasonably priced and tasty. Also a huge area with ride along tractors and little tike cars. Outside there is a park, huge bouncy castle inflatable, go kart track, mini golf, trampolines, sand area and a huge track for family go karts to go right round the farm park. Plus a water fight area. The water boats are £2 and the electric motorbikes that are on a track outside and inside take £1 coins. Water bombs are 50p but apart from that everything is included in the price. We were there all day and left at 4.30 We will be returning I would rather travel the extra 30 mins from Carlisle and go here instead of Walby.
